Samsung Announces the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note “Edge”

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 keynote is still going and the phone is official! Samsung has also announced the Galaxy Note “Edge,” a device with a potentially gimmicky slanted edge to it.

The Galaxy Note 4 will be available come October; the Galaxy Note Edge will arrive eventually in select markets.

Galaxy Note 4 Details

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is mostly what we expected from the few early benchmarks and small handful of leaks images. It looks just like a Galaxy Note, but is upgraded in the display, both cameras, and according to Samsung, in TouchWiz. In case you wondering, it does feature the same metal frame that we saw first introduced with the Galaxy Alpha. It also uses a soft-textured back cover to offer “incredible comfort that makes it easy to control with one hand.”

Samsung also improved the S Pen by introducing a “much more authentic pen experience.” Air Command has been re-done with new features, like Smart Select, which allows users to create and collect content, then easily piece it together.

Samsung is claiming that it has done a bunch to TouchWiz to improve the experience, but to us, it looks a lot like the same old TouchWiz. Multi Window has been improved, and the app switcher takes on the card like UI from Android L. We’ll have more in our hands-on.

Galaxy Note Edge Details

The Galaxy Note Edge is as I suspected, the latest gimmick from Samsung. The device features a 5.6-inch QHD+ Super AMOLED display with a slanted edge. Actually, the rest of the specs are almost identical to the Galaxy Note 4, but again, it has this really awkward slant on the right side of its display.

The slanted edge display provides users with “a new way access information, engage with their mobile device, and express their personality and tastes.” The Edge gives you quick access to frequently used apps, alerts and device functionality, even when you have a cover on the device that is closed. You can receive notifications on the slant as well.

Seriously, those are the benefits. That’s it. Samsung is hoping that developers add additional functionality, but I doubt we will see much movement there.

Update: The official details are now in. We have included press releases, images, and specs below.

Gallery

Galaxy Note 4

Galaxy Note Edge

Press Release

Samsung Introduces the Latest in its Iconic Note Series – The Galaxy Note 4, and Showcases Next Generation Display with Galaxy Note Edge

September 3, 2014

Offering a new dimension to Samsung’s unique Note culture, the Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge strengthen Samsung’s category leadership with the most progressive mobile devices on the market

​Berlin, Germany – September 3, 2014 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the expansion of its flagship Galaxy Note series with the new Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge. Blending an evolved S Pen with a superior viewing experience, the Galaxy Note 4 provides users with the most unique and powerful mobile experience on the market.
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​“The Galaxy Note series signaled extraordinary innovation within the technology industry. Its larger screen size and iconic S Pen technology launched a new standard in smartphone culture,” said JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communication at Samsung Electronics. “With the introduction of the Galaxy Note series, we brought the age-old culture of the pen and notepad into the digital world. The new Galaxy Note 4 introduces the most refined Note experience to-date by combining all the latest technology that users expect from the Galaxy series.”
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​Powerful Performance that Matters the Most to You
​The Galaxy Note 4 embraces Samsung’s heritage of an unrivaled Galaxy mobile experience. Its extraordinary 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) Super AMOLED display reproduces clearer and more vivid images with deep contrast, better viewing angles, and response times as fast as a millionth of a second, providing a tremendous viewing experience.
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​Due to its large screen, the refined Multi Window feature is able to maximize the user’s experience providing them with the key to easier multi-tasking. Users can choose how they access their applications with full, split or pop-up screens, and easily change the size and positioning of apps on the screen with one intuitive swipe.
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​The Galaxy Note 4 also sports an advanced camera system that is able to reproduce brighter and clearer images. The device is equipped with a 16 megapixel rear-facing camera featuring a Smart Optical Image Stabilizer that counter-balances camera shake and automatically extends exposure time in dark settings. In addition, a 3.7 megapixel front-facing camera with f1.9 offers a default 90 degree shooting angle and up to 120 degree wide angle so users can take the best group shots with friends.
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​The Galaxy Note 4‘s wide selection of enhanced essential features enable users to get even more from their mobile device. With the Fast Charging feature and Ultra Power Saving Mode, the Galaxy Note 4 charges faster and ensures that users don’t run out of power when they need it most. The Galaxy Note 4 comes equipped with multiple microphones and an improved speaker phone for better noise cancellation when speaking in loud environments. A built-in Voice Recorder offers eight different directional voice tagging and a selective playback capability that allows users to isolate and listen to specific voices in a group conversation.
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​The Galaxy Note 4 also offers an improved Fingerprint Scanner, to secure personal data and the world’s first UV sensor in a mobile device.
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​S Pen and S Note for Everyday Tasks
​Making everyday tasks much faster and easier, the Galaxy Note 4’s S Pen has been specifically evolved to serve as the primary tool that users go to for common, everyday mobile device use. This new S Pen offers a much more authentic pen experience, with a more natural brush effect that perfectly emulates writing on paper with a fountain or calligraphy pen. The S Pen also introduces a more user-friendly Air Command functionality along with other intuitive features such as Action Memo, Screen Write, Image Clip and Smart Select that allow users to create and collect content with ease. A new Smart Select feature enables users to easily piece together content from different origins, and share it with ease.
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​The Galaxy Note 4 also provides users with a choice of multiple, seamless note-taking methods integrated with Samsung’s S Note application that allows everyday tasks to get done faster and more easily. In addition to typing and writing, the innovative Snap Note feature allows users to take a picture of their notes on a paper or a classroom board, and then quickly and easily convert to the S Note. They can also further unleash their creativity by jotting down their thoughts quickly with the Voice Memo.
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​Premium Yet Functional Design
​The Galaxy Note 4 introduces a new sleek and stylish Galaxy design language. The device features a premium metal frame with fluid curvature that seamlessly blends with the device display. The Galaxy Note 4’s 2.5D glass screen, inherited from the Galaxy S3, offers extra protection while perfectly complementing the device’s rich viewing experience. A soft-textured back cover provides incredible comfort that makes it easy to control with one hand. The device not only looks beautiful, but offers a superior grip and enhanced durability.
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​Introducing Galaxy Note Edge
​Samsung’s relentless pursuit of the best in innovation through the optimization of mobile technology and the user experience has led to the debut of the innovative and unique Galaxy Note Edge. Taking the Galaxy Note experience to the next level, the Note Edge provides users with a new way to access information, engage with their mobile device, and express their personality and tastes. The Galaxy Note Edge’s unique curved Edge screen provides quick access to frequently used apps, alerts and device functionality – even when the cover is closed – all with the swipe of a thumb. Users can also receive notifications directly on the Edge Screen while watching videos without disturbing their viewing.
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​The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in “Charcoal Black,” “Frost White,” “Bronze Gold,” and “Blossom Pink” in global markets starting in October and the Galaxy Note Edge will be available in “Charcoal Black” and “Frost White” in select markets through Samsung’s retail channels, e-commerce and carriers later this year.

the note is a decent looking device. i am surprised. i also don’t think that dl gives enough credit to the edge. that thing sitting on a table or nightstand, would be better than active notifs. it is almost like they refuse to like it because it is samsung. which i understnd, but give credit where credit is due.

Well I’ll be trading in my Note 3 and getting that gorgeous Note 4! Personally, the 5.7 inch QHD Samoled screen is perfect. Love that it’s got the metal frame now. The 16 mp shooter with ois will be sweet. It is packing a sd805? 2.7ghz? 420 gpu? Didn’t hear anything about that, did they mention it or did I miss it?

martyjones100

Keeping my grandad data plan is a must. I dunno if I can justify paying the rumored $900 retail for this when the new moto phone will probably be about 40% cheaper

iceburgh

I’m disappointed they did not bring the waterproof feature to the Note4. Perhaps the S-Pen makes that feature harder to accomplish.
I was waiting next month to upgrade my old S3 for the Note4. It’s now opened the door somewhat for what Moto brings and the G3. I’m defiantly looking for a bigger display, sorry Kellen lol, that the Note line offers.

Justin

It’d be nice if they did but I’ll just get a waterproof case.

iceburgh

Very true. I was dissapointed by the selection out there for the Note 3, tried finding something durable for the fiance, and not those garbage “rubber bumper covers”.

Justin

I got the wife and I Spigen
Neo Hybrid cases, we’ve both dropped our Note 3’s a few times and the cases show no signs of wear or tear, my wife’s has a super hard to spot small scratch and that is it. They have been great and got them on sale. They have provided excellent protection and we both like the looks.

iceburgh

Thanks for pointing them out. I’ll have to give them a look.

Bimmersrus

A couple of sources including the Android Authority video in the comments are saying 4gb Ram. Anyone concrete on that yet? I see what the specs are saying on this page.

Justin

4gb would rock!

Jt

Was hoping for 5.9 or 6.0 inch screen 🙁

crazed_z06

Those screen sizes are too big. the awesome thing Samsung has done with the Note is tweak the “HUGE SCREEN” phone into something manageable. The Note 3 was big, but still manageable and not unwiedly. I’ve used the HTC One Maxx and the 6″ Lumia phones and those are just ridiculous. Samsung has hit the sweet spot with the Note series (~5.5-5.7″). Probably the reason why Apple’s new big phone will have a similar size..

There isn’t anything compelling that would make me upgrade my Note 3 to a Note 4. If folks are looking for a phablet, then surely the Note 4 would be the one to get, but the upgrades Samsung made seem incredibly superficial.

WitnessG

This is a pretty good phone. I really hope they made TouchWiz better.

Pinata

So this leak has to be for a prime, alpha, whatever version of the note. I prefer the speaker on the bottom and there is more metal on the surrounding edge. Thoughts?

Cael

Who knows what Samsung is doing. We never even saw the Galaxy F.

Brian Menius

Samsung ensures, again, that there’s plenty of “meh” to go around for all…

Bring on the Moto presser!

jak_341

Speaking of Meh phones, here comes the X+1 with last year’s specs. Not to mention Meh sales as well.

Brian Menius

Because the meh specs held it back soooooo much. Some phones are greater than the sum of their parts. Samsung’s earlier offerings may have been. Their recent stuff? I’d challenge that assertion.

Sales volume has *a lot* to do with the amount spent on marketing. Samsung is not maintaining their volume on the merit of the product… not these days.

The rest of us will wait until Motorola releases the specs to determine whether it’s a substantial bump from last year’s phone- and even then, what does it really need?

Ajmobileguru

In that case I dont understand why you are looking forward to the Moto X + 1 when Moto X is fine by you.

Keith Taylor

I have been wanting one of the note 3for a while now however this appears to be significantly better in most areas.I will have to wait though until my contract is upwhat should be another 16 months blah…

Other than QHD, SD805 and Supposed better build quality, there is not much compared to Note 3, guess I’ll keep my Note 3

Stephen D

The Note 4 is actually really disappointing to me. Why is it not usb 3.0? Why would they not include water resistance? And Touchwiz looks exactly the same. One step forward(better build quality), two steps backward.

I just read on Phone Arena that it had USB 3.0 and water resistant?? I haven’t watched the live stream yet but I couldn’t imagine them going backwards.

William Oh

It is not IP67 or usb 3.0

William Oh

they’ve explained this already, the usb 3.0 was largely disliked by the majority of note 3 users for being too obscene and the lack of use for it to transfer data files was not worth the tradeoff so they went back to usb 2.0 with ‘faster charging’ feature that guarantees faster charging approximately 50% battery life in just 1/2 hour.

crazed_z06

This is kinda true. USB3.0 didnt really add anything to the Note 3. When you enabled it for file transfers, it disabled the phone radio… and the transfer speeds we’rent even that much faster than USB 2.x.. Also, a lot of people were confused by the connector. I had to explain to a few people at work that they could still use their USB 2.x cables to charge. So it was a neat checkbox to have, but didnt really add anything to the device.

iceburgh

Agreed. There were many people in my office who have the S5 or Note 3, and would yell out, I forgot my cord, can I borrow someone’s to charge my battery. Had to explain the USB 2, would still work. OOHHH.

Justin

It is disappointing, but I’ll be getting a waterproof case for it when needed and the USB 3.0 didn’t offer anything amazing. The USB 2.0 will offer fast charging…. From about 0% battery to 50% they said would be about 30 mins, a full charge then could be approximately about 1 hour, not too shabby. With extreme battery saving, quick charging and the SD 805 and a beefed up gpu it should get even better battery life than the Note 3, which for me has been incredible.

I remember they showed off a prototype of that Edge a long time ago when they first announced bendable screens. The point of it was even with a flip cover on it, you can see the notifications of the side of the phone still. Gimmicky, yes. But that was their idea with it. I don’t really see any other benefit to it.

JayMars84

There are some excellent things about this phone but, in the end, it’s basically dating a hot chick with a bunch of bad ass kids.

While I don’t think the use for this phone is practical, I do like that they’re at least experimenting with it. That being said, this is a stupid idea and I’m not sure how it made it past management approval.

michael arazan

How about a choice, like a Sammy phone with Vanilla Android for all carriers.

carl w.

That’s the beauty of custom roms and Android. You can have that choice if the manufacturer doesn’t initially offer it.

Like and don’t say the twist to start the camera crap. Most people probably only remember that feature after starting their camera the regular way. Its a gimmick feature.

picaso86

The Note 4 looks just like the Note 3. Am I missing something Samsung?

Crickerman

I don’t understand why Samsung gets so much flack for keeping the same design language.. Iphones have basically looked the same since the first generation, you can’t tell the sony xperia z line apart generation from generation. HTC One and One M8 look very similar. LG seems like it will stick with the G2 and G3 look for the foreseeable future. The iphone 6 will look like the iphone 5, except larger.

cizzlen

So you’d rather have every phone look and function exactly the same as the next one? Sounds familiar…

Crickerman

While I agree that TW has a lot of junk for the most part… If you use them, the S-Pen functions are actually pretty useful

I don’t know. Looks can be deceiving. i can see Note lovers picking this up instead of the 4 since it’s internals are almost exactly the same. I’m also not 100% clear if the 5.6″ includes the “edge” or not since the dsiplay listing shows “+ 160” after the “2560×1440”.

So what’s makes the one on the 360 work better than one on a Samsung phone? When Samsung first announced a heart rate sensor it was met with instant hate “its a gimmick, heart rate sensors aren’t accurate, it won’t work right, etc.) Moto 360 adds one, instant praise.

JoshGroff

It’s not about working better, it’s about usefulness. On a watch/fitness band it makes sense, but on a phone, it’s a gimmick at best.

Xavier_NYC

I think it’s pointless on any phone.. Let me guess, you use yours everyday huh?

Buur

He uses it to see exactly how worked up he gets about a talkback post.

I have a G2 and I’m waiting for all the major phones to come out this year before I make a decision because my contract is up next month. I have no loyalty to any company, right now I am considering the note 4 even though I hate the heart rate sensor because spec wise it’s the best phone right now. Just want to see the reviews and also wait for the Nexus 6

Yup, I wanna see that too. If they somehow managed to reduce the overall dimensions while keeping the same size screen and upping the battery life then I’m at least moderately interested. Otherwise, if they went “widebody” like the jump from GS4 to GS5 then I’ll stick with my Note 3, thanks.

Edit: From Engadget’s hands-on: Compared to the previous model, the Note 4 uses the same screen size and is about as thin (8.3mm), but it’s 2.3mm taller, 0.6mm wider and eight grams heavier. It seems odd because the first two Note sequels were smaller than their predecessors, despite coming with a larger display. I don’t think Samsung needed to make the screen any larger this time, as it’s done in the past, but I would’ve preferred to see the chassis trimmed down, at least. That said, this additional width may simply be taking into account the fact that the sides bulge out slightly at the top and bottom, because I didn’t immediately feel any noticeable difference in comfort level.

hard button replacement? Possibly the ability to shift side buttons to where you need them?

Alex

kellen with the sammy hate already

Senor Monk-Balls

Someone has a pretty low bar set for “hate”…

Matt G

Well do you disagree that the Note Edge looks stupid?

NexusMan

I think it looks interesting. Especially the details about using it with a case or while consuming content. And I think it’s too early to call it “stupid,” without spending some time with it in person.

Matt G

Usually like to wait to pass judgment til I see the phone in person but I just have a feeling we will never see this device in the US

Jkdem85

its coming to AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint

NexusMan

Unless there’s different Verizon, AT&T, T Mobile and Sprint carriers in some other country that I am not aware of, we WILL be seeing this phone is the US as all 4 of them have already announced they will be carrying it.

Matt G

Sorry wasn’t expecting that. Especially since we never saw the Galaxy round I thought it would be a similar situation

jlsushman

It would be nice to see my notifications when playing full screen games… but I can’t think of anything other than that… a small sliver to do fantasy lineups while I watch live football?

Crickerman

I am on the bench about the Edge… I like the fact that it gives it differentiates it away from having the 4-5 icon “grid” launcher on the bottom that all phones seem to have nowadays (no one will mistake this device for an iPhone). It kind of reminds me of the start menu in desktop operating systems. It could potentially be useful for multitasking. However, it might just end up as a gimmick depending on how much support it gets.